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Subcommittees

Please be advised that these subcommittees will review candidates for positions at the level of deputy department head and below and then make recommendations for those positions to the Executive Committee. The subcommittees will not examine applicants at the department head level or perform any other functions.

Community Enrichment

The Community Enrichment Subcommittee has oversight over the County’s relationships with and funding for the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library system, Erie Community College, cultural organizations, and tourism and convention services including the Buffalo and Erie County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Lisa Ludwig and Cindy Abbott Letro, co-chairs

Don Boswell, President and CEO, WNY Public Broadcasting Association

Catherine Schweitzer, Executive Director, Baird Foundation

Louis Grachos, Executive Director, Albright Knox Art Gallery

Ted Pietrzak, former Executive Director of Burchfield Penney Art Center

Tod Kniazuk, Executive Director, Arts Services Initiative of WNY

Andrew Sako, President NYSUT ECC Faculty Federation

Economic Development/Energy and Environment

The Energy and Environment Subcommittee has oversight over the County’s Department of Environment and Planning, including the Division of Sewerage Management and environmental matters, as well as the County’s parks system and the Erie County Water Authority.  Additionally, this committee has oversight over the County’s relationship with the Erie County Industrial Development Agency and local industrial development agencies, as well as business and job development and creation.

James Eagan and Jennifer Parker, co-chairs

Jordan Levy

Paul Ciminelli, President and CEO, Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation

Eric Reich, Campus Labs

Sam Magavern- Director-Partnership for the Public Good

Steve Weiss, Canon Heyman and Weiss, LLP, housing preservation attorney

Howard Zemsky, Larkin Development Group

Otis Glover, Director of Strategic Planning and Institutional Advancement, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

Aaron Bartley - Executive Director, PUSH (People United for Sustainable Housing)

George Grasser, Livable WNY

Erin Heaney, Executive Director of Clean Air Coalition

Larry Jasinski, former Commissioner of Parks

Jim Hart, AFSCME

Larry Rubin, former Commissioner of E&P

Government Affairs

The Government Affairs Subcommittee has oversight over a range of administrative and related matters including personnel issues, the Department of Law, and legal claims against the County.

Alisa Lukasiewicz, chair

Denise Szymura, CSEA

Chris O‘Brien, O’Brien Boyd, PC

Scott Freedman, Lippes Matthias Wexler Friedman LLP

Gary Joseph, Esq.

John Flynn, Town of Tonawanda Attorney

Scot Whitbeck, Esq.

Health and Human Services

The Health and Human Services Subcommittee has oversight over the County’s largest department, Social Services, as well as the range of social, mental and physical health issues in several departments including Health, Mental Health, Senior Services and the Youth Bureau.

Brenda McDuffie and Patty DeVinney, co-chairs

Elaine Becker, retired Director of Public Health Nursing, Erie County

Jim Sampson, CEO, Gateway-Longview

Kevin Kumor, CSEA

Joan Guarino, former First Deputy Commissioner of Social Services

Jeff Pirrone, Supervisor, Oishei Foundation’s Mobile Safety-Net Team

Dr. Thomas Rosenthal, MD, Chairman, UB Department of Family Medicine

Denise Krause, Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Alumni Relations, UB School of Social Work

Gaen Hooley, NYSNA

Belle Walls Montree, Vice President, Behavioral Health Services, Child and Family Services

Public Safety

The Public Safety Subcommittee has oversight over the County’s law enforcement and safety functions, including Central Police Services, Emergency Services, Emergency Medical Services and Probation.

Toni Vazquez, chair

Dr. Rosa Gonzalez , Chair of the Emergency Management Department, Erie Community College

Bob Pyjas, CSEA

Dean Messing, retired Deputy Commissioner, Emergency Services

John Buttino, former Emergency Services employee and Eggertsville Hose Company Chief

Frank Housh, former Assistant District Attorney

Scott Patronik, Chief of Technology, Erie County Sheriff’s Office

Paul Moskal, retired FBI Special Agent

Donna Berry, former Chief, Buffalo Police Department

Public Works

The Public Works Subcommittee has oversight over the County’s Department of Public Works and all County road, highway, bridge, and building maintenance and construction infrastructure projects.

Ken Peterson, chair

John Loffredo, former Commissioner of Public Works

Mark Wegner, Superintendent of Highways, Town of Cheektowaga

Darlene Washington, CSEA

Ken Jennetti, AFSCME

Paul Ingham, Northeast Area Manager, Siemens

David Pawlik, President, CSS Construction (former Commissioner of Housing/Community Development for City of Buffalo and Vice President at Savarino Construction)

Pat Reilly, President, John W. Danforth

Dan Boody, Business Agent, IUPAT District Council 4

Rhonda Ricks, Inclusion Development Associates, Inc.